Monday, February 13, 2006

Canucks 3 Wild 2 (OT)

The Vancouver Canucks broke a two-game home ice losing streak, beating the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in overtime. The win moved them back to second place in the Northwest Division and fifth place in the Western Conference. Daniel Sedin, with his 16th goal of the season, scored the game-winner in overtime.

For about 57 minutes, the Canucks put together one of their better defensive efforts this season. They didn't give Minnesota a lot of room or a lot of chances (granted, the Wild converted on two of them). The Canucks only allowed 16 Minnesota shots on goal - at one point, the Canucks were outshooting the Wild 11-1 - as they were a lot better at getting the puck out of the zone. The 16 shots against was their second lowest of the season after the 13 shots they allowed to the same Minnesota Wild back in October.

Except maybe for the Wild's second goal, the defensemen weren't scrambling as much as they have in recent games. Steve McCarthy looks like he's playing with a lot more confidence than in the first half of the season. Mattias Ohlund and Bryan Allen were solid as usual. Overall, the defense also chipped in with 10 shots on goal.

The big line rarely played together last night. Naslund spent most of the night with Burrows and Ruutu; Bertuzzi rotated with Kesler, Morrison and Cooke. Again, I liked the results. Both lines were very much involved in the game.

Bertuzzi looks like he's squeezing the stick a bit when he's out there, don't you think?

Cooke and Kesler were probably the best of the forwards. Both threw their weights around and created havoc around the Minnesota net. Kesler is developing into a nice power forward type of player. Good speed, good hands and a good willingness to drop the gloves.

The only disappointing thing last night occured when Gaborik went down late in the third period and the mini-minor hockey kids started chanting "Suck it up, princess". And their chaperones laughed, seemingly indicating that this was okay. Cheering an injury is never okay. And the penalty was a legitimate call. Not even Ruutu argued it.

Next up: Two weeks off and then the Flames on February 28th. Go Team Canada!